Improved school-desk



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC JAMES S. RANKIN, OF MADISON, INDIANA.

IMPROVED SCHOOL-DESK.

Specification forming part of Letters ?atent No. 34,448, dated February18, 1862. q

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES S. RANKIN, of Madison, in the County ofJefferson and State of Indiana, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in SchoOl-Desks; and I hereby declare that the following isa full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had tothe accompanying drawings, and letters of reference marked thereon,which form part of this specification.

My invention consists in so connecting a series of desks and seatstogether by a central beam as to render two feet or supports sufficientfor each desk, thus simplifying the construction and reducing the costof the same.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of adesk and seats contiguous. Fig. 2 is a Vertical projection or endelevation of the same. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a series of desksand seats connected as above described.

Like letters of reference designate like parts in all the drawings.

A A are the two uprights or legs, to which the end brackets B B aresecured. On these are supported the desks C. Underneath the desk-coverCis a shelf D, for receiving books, slates, c. E is the back board,slightly inclined and secured to uprights A A. F is the Seat, alsosecured to uprights,and supported on curved end brackets (of Wood) G G.H H are strips, one above and the other beneath the seat F, the objectof which is to stiffen the whole desk and seat.

Transversely of each desk, but longitudinally of the Series, theconnecting-beam I is laid, being secured to the seats F,-to the backs EE, and to the upper strips H H. The shelves D D underneath the desks O Crest on this longitudinalconnecting-bearn and are secu red thereto.

Each desk and Seat accommodates two pupils, Who are divided by thelongitudinal beam above' mentioned, and the space between C and D isdivided into two by a Small partition Vertically above and over the beamI. The whole series of desks being connected together by the beam I, asabove described, each desk Stands firmly, although only having twouprights or feet. I would remark here, however, that without prej udiceto my claim for constructing desks With only two feet I reserve theright, if needful, of sup porting the Seat F in the middle by a propOr'foOt to prevent sagging from the Weight of the pupils seated thereon.It is unnecessary, however, (and herein is one of the advantagespertaining to my invention,) when the desks are thus connected together,to fasten them down to the floor, unless, perhaps, at each eX- tremityof the series, as the Weight of the Whole is suflicient to prevent theirbeing moved from their places by the pupils. Con trarily, by grownpeople the series could easily be removed for convenieuce of cleaning,if required.

The advantages of my inveution are, first, simplicity and case ofconstruction; second,

economy in material and labor; third, con-.

venience to pupils from the absence of superfluous and interfering legspreventing easy access to the seats; fourth, convenience to thoseengaged in cleaning the rooms, the broom passing easily between andunder the desks, being unobstructed by legs and props, and, further, thewhole being easily removed and replaced. These advantagesare great, andcan be appreciated both by pupils and teachers.

I disclaim connecting desks together by means of iron bolts or otherniere braces which do not enter into Or make part of the framing of thedesks.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

Building the frame-work of a series ot' school-desks on a continuouscentral wooden joist or beam I, running fore and aft, the desks andjoist being mutually framed into each other, substantially as herein setforth.

JAMES S. RANKIN.

Witnesses':

WM. CLOUGH, JOHN W. VERRY.

